NORWICH – Catholic Charities of Chenango County has organized an event with the hope it will not only be entertaining for the entire community, but also financially beneficial to one of the organization’s subsidiaries – Roots and Wings. Bands, Brew and Barbecue is set to kick off at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich.
According to Robin Beckwith, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Chenango County, federal and state budget cuts have brought hard times to Roots and Wings, and even though the government funding has decreased, the number of people heading to Roots and Wings for help has not.
More than 5,300 households received emergency food assistance through Roots and Wings in 2012 alone. This is the equivalent to 236,280 meals. Additionally, 432 family members avoided homelessness via support with rental payments. It was determined last year that 37 homeless households were provided safe and affordable rental housing through Chenango County Roots and Wings.
“I think this event will really appeal to the younger crowd, and get them involved and aware of the local problems right here in the area” Beckwith said.
Bands, Brew and Barbecue is a first-time event to the area, and music begins at 11 a.m. and will continue throughout the day until 7 p.m.
Local musicians will take to the stage as well as Saturday’s headliner, Mass.-based group SCARAB, a Journey Tribute Band.
“SCARAB has sold out Friday night at the Turning Stone Casino,” said Beckwith about the band. “They really draw a great crowd and it’s great they will be coming to play.”
The Beadle Brothers – a local band which garnered national attention when its single, “Back to the County,” hit number one on the country charts – is also slated to play the event.
The Oneonta-based Horseshoe Lounge Playboys are set to take to the stage in the mid-afternoon, bringing their unique blend of “footstomping, harmonizing, hillbilly roots music ... or ... old-timey, bluegrassy, acoustic honky tonkin’ backwoods Americana.”
Local favorites The Suspicious Hats will also perform Saturday afternoon. The group is composed of four gentlemen – Todd Rutan, Nate Collins, and father and son duo Tim and Nick Andrews. The ensemble plays both acoustic and electric and the members blend a unique mix of rock, folk, bluegrass and blues.
Brian Golden and Friends are slated to hit the he stage at 12:30 p.m., the guitarist and Evening Sun managing editor sharing the stage with drummer and best friend Eric Tozer, bassist Jake Alaniz, and Jess Novak (vocals, guitar and violin). Better known as the Syracuse-based Master Thieves, the foursome (minus Thieves guitarist and founder Chuck Dorgan and keyboardist Mark Nanni), will also perform two sets on Friday night at Rita’s Lounge in Norwich, formerly known as Beadle’s Lounge, kicking things off at 9 p.m.
Guitarist Mike Davis will play an acoustic set just before noon, and Mike O’Connor and the Eric Porter Experience kick off the day’s entertainment when the event begins at 11 a.m.
